Terrasmart, the renewable arm of Gibraltar Industries, and Melink Solar, a commercial solar EPC firm, have completed a 2.8 MW solar carport at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. This represents the largest urban solar array currently accessible to the public in the US. This addition boosts the Zoo’s on-site solar capacity to 4.55 MW, covering approximately two-thirds of its energy needs. Terrasmart designed the racking system and managed the mechanical installation alongside Melink Solar, integrating nearly 5,000 bifacial solar modules connected through string inverter technology. The new solar canopy shades around 800 parking spaces and is projected to reduce the Zoo’s annual energy expenditure to roughly $300,000 by 2030-2032, down from $1.6 million in 2005.
Terrasmart and Melink complete solar project for Cincinnati Zoo
Utilizing bifacial modules, the zoo’s solar canopy cuts electricity bills, meeting two-thirds of energy needs. (Image Source: Terrasmart)
The dual-use project integrates agriculture under solar panels and floating aquaculture with energy storage. (Image Source: PRNewswire)
The Horsham project combines solar and battery storage, supporting grid stability and peak demand management. (Image Credit/Source: Atimedia/Pixabay)
The 20 MW solar project actively supports Eramet’s SBTi roadmap and climate goals. (Image Source: SolarPanal/Pixabay)
Sherco Solar is the Upper Midwest’s largest solar project, set to power 150,000 homes when fully operational. (Image Source: Xcel Energy)